How long does it take to charge an electric car?
It depends on how much energy you put in and how fast the charger delivers it. A 75 kWh battery charged from 20% to 80% takes 45 kWh, or 50 kWh from the wall at 90% efficiency. A 32 A Level 2 charger at 240 V delivers 7.7 kW, so that takes 6 hr 31 min. A standard 120 V outlet at 12 A gives 1.44 kW and takes about 34 hr 43 min.
The Department of Energy puts Level 1 at about 5 miles of range per hour of charging and Level 2 at about 25 miles per hour. Every model's numbers are on the EV charging time chart, from the EPA's own 240 V test.
charging time (hours) = battery kWh x share to fill / efficiency / charging power (kW)
EV charging time by charger
Times for a 75 kWh battery at 90% efficiency. The car may cap the power below the charger's rating; most EVs take 7 to 11.5 kW on AC.
| Charger | Power | 20% to 80% | 0% to 100% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, 120 V 12 A | 1.4 kW | 34 hr 43 min | 2.4 days |
| Level 2, 240 V 16 A | 3.8 kW | 13 hr 1 min | 21 hr 42 min |
| Level 2, 240 V 24 A | 5.8 kW | 8 hr 41 min | 14 hr 28 min |
| Level 2, 240 V 32 A | 7.7 kW | 6 hr 31 min | 10 hr 51 min |
| Level 2, 240 V 40 A | 9.6 kW | 5 hr 13 min | 8 hr 41 min |
| Level 2, 240 V 48 A | 11.5 kW | 4 hr 20 min | 7 hr 14 min |
The car's onboard charger sets the limit
On AC charging, the charger on the wall only supplies power; a charger inside the car converts it for the battery. That onboard charger has a maximum, often 7.2 kW, 9.6 kW or 11.5 kW. A 48 A wall unit cannot push a 7.2 kW car any faster, so enter the car's limit in the calculator if you know it. The home EV charger size guide explains matching the two.
DC fast chargers bypass the onboard charger and are much faster, but they slow down as the battery fills. That is why fast-charge times are quoted from 10% to 80%. The EV charging curve guide explains why.